Additional Coverage:
- Walmart shopper buys watermelon that ‘smelled really good’ — then notices something quite odd (marketrealist.com)
Walmart Watermelons: A Social Media Saga
A series of viral TikTok videos have sparked concerns about the quality of watermelons sold at Walmart. One video, posted by user @user7421262716379, showed a seemingly normal watermelon with a fresh aroma that, once cut open, revealed a plastic-like interior.
The user described the taste as “horrible.” Even more bizarre, the discarded fruit remained seemingly untouched outdoors for over a week, prompting comments from viewers about the lack of decomposition and the absence of insects or animals consuming it.
Another TikTok user, Gabriela (@gabrielanailsnmakeup), documented her struggle to wash a Walmart watermelon, the skin of which peeled off like plastic, revealing a lighter green layer underneath. Her video garnered millions of views and ignited a flurry of comments from others who had experienced similar issues.
Adding to the growing skepticism, user Robin (@rockitrobin_) posted a video of a misshapen watermelon at Walmart, warning viewers to avoid the store’s watermelons altogether.
Several theories emerged online, including the possibility that the watermelons had been frozen during transport and then thawed. Melon1, the supplier of the watermelons in question, offered an explanation to RetailWire: freezing a watermelon can cause the skin to peel off once it returns to room temperature. Gabriela subsequently tested this theory herself and confirmed the supplier’s explanation in a follow-up video.
Despite this seemingly plausible explanation, the videos have fueled a broader discussion about the quality and standards of produce sold at Walmart.